Japanese people take jazz seriously. Just ask Haruki Murakami, whose literary characters are bizarrely erudite when it comes to jazz. Unsurprisingly, Tokyo has no shortage of great jazz bars, and JZ Brat in Shibuya’s Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel is right up there with the best of them.

JZ Brat may have an oddly abrasive name, but its elegant interior, superb sound system, and excellent service makes up for all of that. Different jazz singers and players perform nightly, and it’s always a well-curated list. They don’t always play ‘pure’ jazz; you’ll sometimes hear bebop, rhythm and blues, or more pop-like jazz. Still, there’s rarely a bad act here.

The food at JZ Brat is also good, which is a real plus. Elegant surroundings, a tasty dinner, gorgeous music - what more could you ask for?

JZ Brat is a great jazz bar for both casual and serious fans of the genre. The only downside is the slightly pricey cover charge, which also increases on nights hosting international players. Check the schedule before your visit.

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